Pike Bay

A targeted gill net survey for Walleye on Pike Bay was conducted during the week of 8/25/2025. This survey was the second conducted on an expedited 3-year rotation since Pike Bay was selected for inclusion in a statewide study of zebra mussel effects on Walleye populations (2021). Pike Bay was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2014 and with the exception of 2020, Pike Bay has been stocked annually with Walleye fry. A total of 39 Walleye were captured resulting in a catch rate of 2.3 fish/net which was down considerably from 5.2 fish/net in the previous survey (2022). Walleye captured ranged from 16 to 27 inches in length with a mean length of just over 20 inches and a mean weight of 3 lbs/fish. The two most abundant year classes were age-6 (2019) and age-8 (2017). The 2019 year class was the most abundant cohort identified, comprising 36% of the catch. The 2025 targeted gill net survey also provided an opportunity to evaluate the Northern Pike population. A total of 47 pike were captured resulting in a catch rate of 3.1 fish/net which was a slight increase from 2.3 fish/net in 2022. Pike captured ranged from 16 to 33 inches in length with a mean length of 25 inches and mean weight of nearly 4 pounds. Approximately 38% of pike were 26 inches in length or larger. Yellow Perch are also a popular species for anglers on Pike Bay. Perch catch rates increased from 76.6 fish/net in 2022 to 86.6 fish/net in this survey. Some perch captured during the 2025 survey exceeded 12 inches and they averaged just over 7 inches. Other species of fish captured in this survey were Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Lake Whitefish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Pike Bay Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Reservation, on August 5th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as Tullibee, are also present). The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO) holds Clean Water Act jurisdiction over waters within the exterior boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation, which allows LLBO to establish water quality standards to protect Reservation waters and culturally important aquatic resources. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 42.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 49.2 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 6.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 14.2 degrees C (57.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota DNR during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to August 24th) in four years, between 2009-2024, indicate unsuitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Pike Bay Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Reservation, was conducted over several days, including July 24-25 and July 29-30, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 23 stations and site conditions (i.e., dense aquatic vegetation) prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 24 species of fish including nine species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Longnose Dace, Muskellunge, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program Staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 14 species of fish, including two that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch comprised majority of the trap net catch by number and Rock Bass, Bowfin, and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an August 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the warm and coolwater fish community in Pike Bay Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the Minnesota DNR FIBI exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were also collected from the deepest basin in Pike Bay Lake on July 30th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 50.5 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 43.5 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, the water column did not contain a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 19.1 degrees C (66.4 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota DNR during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress during three years between 2009-2015 also indicate unsuitable oxythermal habitat in all years when surveyed. Other noteworthy information from a survey conducted outside of the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress on August 29, 2022 indicates that unsuitable conditions were also present at that time. Including data from all available surveys, the least favorable conditions as measured by TDO3 were recorded in 2022. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress. You can help protect the fish community in Pike Bay Lake by reducing runoff and maintaining natural shorelines.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Black Crappie in Pike Bay. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Pike Bay. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Pike Bay has a maximum depth of 95 feet and a mean depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pike Bay is from 2025.

Yes — Pike Bay has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.